Clearfield Lentils Available in 2006

SASKATOON - Jan 11/06 - SNS -- Clearfield lentils will be available to commercial seed producers in the 2006 growing season in western Canada, according to BASF Canada Agricultural Products.

The first herbicide-tolerant lentil varieties in Canada, their development and commercialization is the result of a joint venture between BASF, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) and the Crop Development Centre (CDC) at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The signing of a formal distribution agreement between BASF and SPG in late December 2005 facilitates commercial availability of the Clearfield lentil technology this year.

Two red lentil Clearfield varieties will be available to Select seed growers this spring, and ODYSSEY will be the first herbicide registered for use on these Clearfield varieties.

BASF funded CDC's development of the Clearfield trait and owns the Clearfield lentil intellectual property. SPG has represented the growers' interests in the technology's development and will be responsible for the initial release of Clearfield lentils through its variety release program.

As with all other Clearfield production systems, a Clearfield Commitment must be signed annually by any grower wishing to seed Clearfield lentils, helping to ensure long-term sustainability of this system. In addition, a Clearfield Confirm test has been included as a condition of use in the Clearfield Commitment. The Clearfield Confirm test is an annual seed test at a BASF-certified lab prior to seeding to ensure the seed has adequate herbicide-tolerance. This is an important step in preserving the quality of the seed.